West Ham chief David Sullivan has responded after receiving a £50m offer for key star Lucas Paqueta, Hammers News can exclusively reveal.
The Brazilian playmaker’s future has been the subject of much speculation of late and he continues to attract major interest.
Headlines over the future of Lucas Paqueta at West Ham are nothing new of course.
Paqueta has been the subject of intense speculation for over two years now and was on the verge of leaving the Hammers when the spot-fixing case against him reared its head in August 2023.
Since being cleared over those FA charges, talk has been rife Paqueta could depart the London Stadium.
Paqueta’s West Ham future makes headlines again
The likes of transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano claimed Paqueta wanted to join Aston Villa before the summer window closed.
Romano was lambasted by Hammers fans for reporting that Paqueta wanted out of West Ham, a narrative which started the night before the club’s season-opening 3-0 defeat at Sunderland.
Paqueta stayed, though, and the 28-year-old produced a memorable celebration at Forest committing himself to the Hammers.
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Since then though, Paqueta announced this will be his last season at West Ham in an emotional statement on his social media.
Mateus Fernandes and Lucas Paqueta during West Ham United v Newcastle United - Premier League
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Although reports since have claimed he may not even make it that far with some suggesting Paqueta, who has another year plus an option on his contract next summer, wants out in January.
Meanwhile others state the Hammers are keen to cash in while the player is in form so they can reinvest the money in new signings for Nuno Espirito Santo.
Paqueta’s camp responded emphatically to new West Ham exit claims ahead of the January transfer window.
Yet still speculation has persisted with The Times’ Gary Jacob recently reporting Paqueta wants to quit the Hammers as soon as the winter window opens.
The club’s £51m record signing even spoke out himself as Paqueta posted a West Ham picture on social media in a clear rebuttal of the rumours.
Sullivan responds as West Ham receive £50m offer for Paqueta
Man City, Villa, Newcastle and a return to Brazil are some of the destinations the £150k-per-week ace has been linked with.
West Ham’s board set the record straight over Paqueta’s conduct at the weekend.
Now David Sullivan has responded after West Ham received a £50m offer for Paqueta ahead of the January window.
Football correspondent Graeme Bailey has revealed that West Ham have received the offer from the Saudi Pro League.
But Sullivan has sent a clear message to the mega rich league, making it clear West Ham’s Premier League status is far more important – and valuable.
Lucas Paqueta protests his innocence after being booking in West Ham's win over Newcastle United - Premier League
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
The Hammers chief has also made it clear behind the scenes that the club is focused on signing players for Nuno rather than selling.
“We understand that the Saudi Pro League have made an offer worth over £50million for Lucas Paqueta but West Ham United owner David Sullivan has dismissed the approach, insisting they would want double that to consider letting him leave in January,” Bailey exclusively told Hammers News.
“Sullivan fully understands that West Ham remain firmly in a relegation battle and staying in the Premier League remains their primary goal going into 2026 and allowing their star men to leave will not best aid their efforts.
“We are told that The Hammers have been spoken to by Saudi Pro League representatives at which point an offer was put to them, but West Ham said no.
Sullivan would want £100m to sell Paqueta as Hammers fight for survival
“To allow a player like Paqueta out – The Hammers would need to spend at least £75million to replace him, hence the need to ask around £100million to even consider such a deal.
“This underlines that West Ham will not be selling key figures this January and Paqueta is one of them. Getting a replacement in January would be near impossible.
“They are finding that out with their striker hunt, it is far from easy to find someone willing to join a relegation battle. I am told a couple of deals have already been scuppered due to this.”
Bailey claims the Hammers will have limited funds available in January, with a new striker their primary target.
West Ham hoping sales of the likes of Niclas Fullkrug, Guido Rodriguez and James Ward-Prowse could help – whilst the Hammers have also made a shock decision on Mads Hermansen just three months into his move.